The removal of Mahatma Gandhi's statue from Doomdooma, a tea town in Assam's Tinsukia district, has sparked widespread controversy and protests by student leaders.
The 5.5-foot statue, situated at Gandhi Chowk, was reportedly taken down by an excavator two days ago, leading to vehement backlash.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed surprise, stating he was unaware of the decision.
"I am not aware of this decision taken by the district administration. Let me verify the facts," he remarked, pointing out Gandhi's historical significance in Assam's independence struggle.
The All Assam Student Union (AASU) voiced strong objections, alleging the statue's removal was to make space for a clock tower without consulting local civil society.
"Why was the community not consulted before uprooting Gandhi's statue?" questioned Pritam Neog, an AASU leader.
Earlier, Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, criticized the BJP-led government in Assam for replacing the statue with a clock tower, calling it disrespectful.
In response, BJP MLA Rupesh Gowala clarified that a new, taller statue of Gandhi would replace the old one within six months, alongside a planned clock tower.
"We aim to beautify the area with a better statue and infrastructure," Gowala asserted, defending the decision against accusations of political motives.
Congress leader Durga Bhumij stressed onthe importance of preserving Gandhi's legacy amidst development plans.
"City beautification is important, but not at the expense of Gandhi's statue," Bhumij insisted, echoing community sentiments.
Follow us
